CMike
Well-Known Member
I don't think you can use the idiom of the pot calling the kettle black when I have not singled out any specific group as being uniquely at fault, nor have I excluded myself from among the problems.
In other words, yes, I did use stark and unremitting terms to describe the magnitude of the problem facing the Jewish People, with all the various movements or groups demonstrating particular and extremely problematic issues of their own-- problematic issues from which, again, I by no means claim exclusion.
But if we do not accept and confront the problems among us-- among all of us-- how are we to work on solving them? Lashon hara would be to speak only of the problems of another. But tochechah-- tochechah for all of us, ourselves included-- requires blunt words.
What will be aided by pretending these problems don't exist, or pretending that they are less than they are, or that some of us are unaffected?
It is true that we need to work on tolerance and respect among us-- I believe that deeply. But it's also true that for that to be of real effect, we need to admit and confront the problems within our own communities and movements, not shy away from them.
It's rather hypocritical to state that we have to be respectful to other jews, and a paragraph later trash the jewish movements that you disagree with.
That said I do believe that Charedi should serve in the Israeli military.